Means for confining ink mist in printing presses



0. R. WOLF Jan. 7, 1941.

MEANS FOR CONFINING INK MIST IN PRINTING PRESSES Filed June 6, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet l 0. R. WOLF Jan. 7, 1941.

MEANS FOR CONFINING INK MIST IN PRINTING PRESSES Filed June 6, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 7, 1941. Q R WOLF 2,227,616

MEANS FOR CONFINING INK MIST IN PRINTING PRESSES Filed June 6, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 0. R. WOLF Jan, 7, 1941.

MEANS FOR CONFINING INK MIST IN PRINTING PRESSES Filed June 6, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q. R, WQLF 2,227,515

MEANS FOR CONFINING INK MIST IN PRINTING PRESSES Jan 1941.

Filed June 6, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 llill it Jan. 7, 1941 OFFICE MEANS FOR CONFINING INK MIST IN PRINTING PRESSES Otto R. Wolf, Oak Park, 111., assignor to Tribune Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Application June e, 1933, Serial No. 212,080

18 Claims.

This invention relates to printing presses such as are used in printing, of newspapers, and has for its principal object the provision of means for preventing mist from the inking rollers of the m press from permeating the atmosphere of the pressroom, a difliculty which has been commonly experienced in the past. v

A further advantage of the apparatus provided by the invention is that it protects the web, as it passes up through the press unit to the printing cylinders, from being soiled by the ink mist or by particles of ink or lubricant which might be thrown from the rollers when the press is operating at high speed.

The device of the invention also makes for neatness and cleanliness in the pressroom and protects the workmen from the operating mechanism as well as from soiling of their hands and clothing while working in close proximity to the no press units.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein I have shown the meas ferred firm in which I have thus far contemplated applying the principles of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a press unit equipped with the device of my invention;

Fig; 2 is a partly diagrammatic view showing certain of the parts in two different positions;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the press unit with the-devices of my invention applied thereto, with different positions of certain parts shown in full 35 lines and dottedlines, respectively;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of a somewhat different construction applied to a press unit of different type than that shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a detailed-sectional view taken sub- 40 stantially on the section line 5-5 in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a sldeelevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4 with certain parts broken away for convenience in illustration, and with the hinged end plates shown in dotted lines in open position.

iii

"In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, 1 have shown a press unit comprising a frame, generally indicated at II, in

which are mounted two plate or printing cylin- 'ders l2 and two impression cylinders I3 adapted 50 to print upon a webof paper indicated by the dot and dash line It, said web extending around a guide roller I5 between the cylinders l2 and I3 of the righthand printing couple (viewing (Fig. ,1), thence around a guide roller li'and between 55 the cylinders I2 and II of the lefthand printing couple, from which the web, printed on one side by one couple and on the other side by the other, passes over a third guide roller II toward a folder (not shown) into which the printed webs from apredetermined number of associated units may 5 be fed, in accordance with standard practice in newspaper printing plants. a

Each printing cylinder I2 has its own ink feeding mechanism comprising an ink fountain I B and a series of horizontally disposed drums and 10 rollers, generally indicated at I9, arranged to transfer the ink from the fountain l8 to the cylinder I2 and to apply the same in a film of desired thickness to said cylinder I2. The respective sets of drums and rollers, which are commonly referred to as an ink motion) are mounted in side framesill, between which the web I4 passes upwardly from a web roll support ordi narily located on a level beneath that of the printing units. The ink motionis of standard form and need not be described in detail, the construction and operation being well known to those skilled in the printing art.

It is a matter of common knowledge that all ink rollers of this type cause ink misting when the press is operated at high speed, as it customarily is in the printing of newspapers, especially those of large circulation, and the mist, penetrating into the atmosphere of the pressroom, has been objectionable, since it not only renders the air unwholesome but causes an uncleanly condition in the immediate vicinity of the press units and to a considerable extent throughout the room. Some efforts have been made to overcome this difllculty by the use of guards or shields positioned in the vicinity of the inking rollers, but. the prior constructions with which I am familiar have not been particularly satisfactory, since they are both awkward to handle and do not sufficiently confine the mist to the area immediately surrounding the ink motion above described. My invention provides a construction which is free from these defects and e ciently accomplishes the objectives hereinbeore stated. i

The mechanism of the invention comprises side plates 22 arranged in pairs on opposite sides of each ink motion, the inside plates being mounted for sliding movement in U-shaped guiding rails 23 and attached to the side frame of the press unit, and the outside plates being mounted in guide rails 25 and 26 also mounted on said side frame, as will be apparent from Fig. 1 of the drawings. The rails 23 are suspended from straps 21 riveted or otherwise firmly secured to the tops of the frame. Said plates 22 are provided with handles 29, and the plates of each pair are adapted to be moved endwise in opposite directions, one toward the operator's side of the unit, and the other toward the gear side. The height of the plates is such as to extend from the base of the units to the cylinders l2 or the framework adjacent the latter, so that substantially the entire open space on each side of the ink motion may be closed thereby, with a'tight fit practically preventing all escape of ink mist in direction transverse to the length of the rollers. When access is desired to any part of the mechanism, only the particular plate covering the area in which said part is located need be moved, it being thus unnecessary to expose the remainder of the inking mechanism and the individual plate requiring movement being relatively ,light and easy to handle.

Sheet metal plates are provided at the ends of the units for closing the space between the sliding guards above-mentioned and the framework, thus preventing escape of the mist in direction lengthwise of the cylinders. Said plates, in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, include fixed sections 3i secured by angular clips 32 to frame parts 33, to which said clips are attached by welding or in other suitable manner. Movable plate sections 34 are attached to the sections 3| by means of hinges 35, which may be spring hinges if desired, and are adapted to abut against the ends of the sliding plates 22 when the latter are in closed position, as shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings. The sections 34, when moved to open position, are adapted to be hooked back by means of hooks 36 on said movable sections and eyes 37 on the fixed sections, or by the reverse arrangement if preferred.

- Refening to Fig. 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the slidingguards 22 in the upper portions of the figure are in closed position with the hinged sections 34 of the end plates in contact with the ends of said sliding guards. If it is desired to move the lefthand inside guard, it may be drawn toward the left, as shown in the upper portion of said Fig. 2, and may be completely removed if this should be required. It will be noted that the movable section 34 of the end plate, which-coperates with this guard, will be hooked back to permit the withdrawal of the guard.

If access to the outside righthand portion of the .opposite ink motion is necessary, the sliding guard 22, shown at the lower rlghthand portion of Fig. 2, may be moved as desired, the adjacent hinged end plate section 34 being hooked back to permit movement of the guard in the rails between which it is mounted, or the complete withdrawal of the guard.

Likewise, any one of the guard sections 22 may be moved to such extent as may be desired, or withdrawn when occasion demands, and it will be evident that all of the sliding guard. sections may be withdrawn forpurposes of cleaning the press unit when this is required, all of the movable end plate sections 34 .at this time being hooked back and thus not interfering with free acess to the inking rollers and other mechanism.

Hinged guards 38 of arcuate form are provided on the exterior of the plate cylinders 12, being hinged at 39 to brackets 4| on the frame, 801d being provided with handholds 42, by which they may be lifted, the hinge being preferably a friction hinge, whereby said guard 38 will remain in open position without the necessary of being hooked back or otherwise held. This plate cylinder guard is employed on certain types of presses and is not a part of the present invention.

In Figs. 4 to 6 of the drawings, I have shown a modification of the device of the invention, as applied to a press unit of somewhat different form. In this form of unit, the inking rollers, identified by the reference numeral 43, have irrdnnting axles or spindles extending longitudinally beyond the end of the press frame a substantial distance, and the upper rollers are arranged circumferentially around a central drum 44. Primarily because of the projection of the roller spindles at the end of the press frame, the end plates cannot be attached to the unit frame, as in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, and accordingly I provide a mounting frame consisting of an upper transverse plate 45, a lower transverse plate 46, and uprights 4? extending between said plates and being of T-shaped formation, as shown in Figs. 4 and.5 of the drawings. The end plates in this form of the invention comprise for each ink motion one inside plate 48 extending from the frame portion adjacent the printing cylinder I 2 to the ink fountain l8, and one outside plate 49 extending from the upper frame to the base of the unit, both plates being hinged at their inner extremities to the upright, the hinges being indicated at 5| and 52, respectively, in Fig. 4 of the drawings. Hooks 53 are provided on said plates for hooking them back to permit endwise-movement of the sliding guards, which, in the present instance, are shaped to conform generally to the mechanism enclosed thereby. The inner guards, identified by the reference numeral 54, are of a somewhat arcuate shape to conform to the arrangement of the upper inking rollers, and the outer guards, identified by the reference numeral 55, are offset to provide an'enclosure in the upper reglon thereof for inking roller operating mechanism, generally indicated by the reference numeral 56. A gate 51 is provided in one section of each of the outer guards to permit ready access to said roller-operating mechanism. As will appear from Fig. 6, the sliding guards 54 and 55 are arranged in pairs, as in the case of the other embodiment of the invention, the plates of each pair meeting at a line 58 at the approximate center of the press unit so that the guard sections can be removed in opposite directions and in only such number as required, as has been previously described.

The inner guards 54 are mounted between upper and lower tracks 23 and 24, respectively, A

and the outer guards 55 are mounted between upper tracks 25 and lower tracks 26, respectively, as in the first described embodiment of the invention. Feed roller operating mechanism is shown at 56' in Fig. 5.

It will be seen that with either of these two constructions, or others of similar nature in which the invention may be embodied, the ink motions 'are substantially completely enclosed at both sides and at the ends so that the mist is kept from diffusing intothe atmosphere of the room and from contacting. the web as it travels between the two ink motions of the unit to the printing cylinders. Furthermore, the tight enclosure of the operating mechanism protects the floor and machinery adjacent the ink fountains I of the unit.

ing of particles of ink and lubricants resulting from the high operating speed of the press. The

moving parts may be easily and quickly manipu-' lated and are inexpensive. to manufacture and install. The sliding guards may be completely reto web breaks or other causes, it has to be removed from the rollers. I

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness. of understanding only, and

no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Means for confining ink mists in printing presses comprising in combination with the frame, printing cylinders and spaced sets of ink rollersof a press unit, a. guard mechanism for each set of ink rollers, said mechanism including longitudinally slidable guards on each side of the rollers, tracks on the press frame in which said slidable guards are mounted, and means for closing the space between said guards and the frame at an end of the unit.

2. Means for confining inkmist in printing presses comprising in combination with the frame, printing cylinders and spaced sets of ink rollers of a press unit, a guard mechanism for each set of ink rollers, said mechanism including longitudinally slidable guards ,on each side of the rollers, tracks on the press frame in which said slidable guards'are mounted, and means for closing the space between said guards and the frame at the, ends oithe unit.

3. Means for jconflning ink mist in printing presses comprising in combination with the frame, printing cylinders and spaced sets of ink rollers of a press unit, a guard mechanism for each set of ink rollers, said mechanism includin longitudinally slidable guards on each side of the rollers, tracks on the press frame in which said slidable guards are mounted, and means comprising hinged plates for closing the space between said guards and the frame at the ends t. Means for confiningink mist in printing presses comprising in combination with the frame, printing cylinders and spaced sets of ink rollers of a press unit,'a guard mechanism for each set of ink rollers, said mechanism including a plurality of longitudinally slidable guards on each side of the rollers, one of' said guards being movable in one direction and one in the other,

tracks on the press frame in which said slidable guards are mounted, and means for closing the space between said guards and the frame at an end of the unit.

5. Means for confining ink mist in printing presses comprising in combination with the frame, printing cylinders and spaced sets of ink rollers of a press unit, a guard mechanism for each set of ink rollers, said mechanism including hinged plates for closing the space between said guards and the frame at the ends of the units. 6. Means for confining ink mist in printing presses comprising in combination with the frame, printing cylinders and spaced sets of ink rollers of a press unit, a guard mechanism for each set of ink rollers, said mechanism including a'plurallty of longitudinally slidable guards on each side of the rollers, one of said guards being movable in one direction and one in the other, tracks on the press frame in which said slidable guards are mounted, and means comprising hinged plates for closing the space between said guards and the frame at the ends of the unit, said hinged plates being adapted to abut against the ends of the slidable guards when in closed position and being movable to position to permit sliding movement of guards when desired.

h ll/leans for confining ink mist in printing presses comprising in combination with the frame, printing cylinders and spaced sets of ink rollers of a press unit,.a guard mechanism for each set of ink rollers, said mechanism including a plurality of longitudinally slidable guards on each side of the rollers, one of saidguards beingv movable in one direction and one in the other, tracks on the press frame in which said slidable guards are mounted, and means comprising hinged plates for closing the space between said guards and the'frame at the ends of the unit,

said hinged plates being adapted to abut against the ends of the slidable guards when in closed position and being movable to position to permit sliding movement of guards when desired, and said hinged plates being of such size and hinged at such points as to provide a large opening for convenient access to the ends of the rollers when said plates are moved to open position.

8. Means for confining ink mist in printing presses comprising in combination with the frame, printing cylinders and spaced sets of ink rollers of a press unit, a guard mechanism for each set ofink rollers, said mechanism including a plurality of longitudinally slidable guards on each side of the rollers, one of said guards being movable in one direction and one in the other, tracks on the press frame in which said slidable guards are mounted, and means comprising a pair of medially hinged plates at one end of the unit for closing. the space between the guards.

9. Means for confining ink mist inprinting presses comprising in combination with the frame, printing cylinders and spaced sets of ink rollers of a press unit, a guard mechanism for each set of ink rollers, said mechanism including a plurality of longitudinally slidable guards on each side of the rollers, one of said guardslbeing movable in one direction and one in the other, tracks on the press frame in which said slidable guards are mounted, and means comprising a pair of medially hinged plates at'each end of the unit for closing the space between the guards.

10. Means for confining ink mist in printing presses comprising in combination with the frame, printing cylinders and spaced sets of ink rollers of an arched-type, four-plate-wide, surface-printing press unit, an enclosure mechanism for each set of ink rollers, said mechanism including longitudinally slidable guards on the inside and outside of each set of rollers, tracks on the press frame in which said slidable guards are mounted, and end guards for substantially closing the space between the ends of said slidable guards and the frame structure.

11. Means for confining ink mist in printing presses comprising in combination with the frame, printing cylinders and spaced sets of ink rollers of an arched-type, four-plate-wide, surface-printing press unit, an enclosure mechanism for each set of ink rollers, said mechanism including longitudinally slidable guards on the inside and outside of each set of rollers, top and and cylinder guards hinged above the printing cylinders and adapted when in closed position to rest upon the outside top tracks for the slidable guards. i

12. Means for confining ink mist in printing presses comprising in combination with the frame; printing cylinders andspaced sets of ink rollers of an arched-type, four-plate-wide, surface-printing press unit, an enclosure mechanism for each set of ink rollers, said mechanism including a plurality of longitudinally slidable guards on the inside and outside of each set of rollers, one of-- said guards being movable in one direction and one in the other, tracks on the press frame in which said slidable guards are mounted, and end-guards for substantially closing the space between the ends of said slidable guards and the frame structure.

13. In combination with an arch-type, fourplate-wide, surface-printing press unit having two sets of plate and impression cylinders with ductor and inking rollers, vibrating motion and .ink fountain for each set of cylinders: means for fully enclosing said unit, said means comprising two-piece slidable guards for the inside and outside of each set of rollers extending from the ink fountains to the plate cylinders, supports for said guards, hinged end guards arranged between said slidable guards and the pressframe, and hinged guards over each of the plate cylinders, whereby ink misting is eliminated from the press room, dust and paper particles are prevented from getting into the ink, the pressmen are prevented from touching the rotating rollers and plate cylinders without opening the guards and in case a plate should break pieces thereof cannot fly off the cylinder into the pressroom.

'14; In combination with an arch-type. fourplate-wide, surface-printing press unit having two sets or plate and impression cylinders with ductor and inking rollers, vibrating motion and ink fountain for each set of cylinders; means for 50 fully enclosing said unit, said means comprising 55 hinged end guards arranged between said slidable two-piece longitudinally slidable guards for the inside and outside ofeach set of rollers extending from the ink foimtains to the plate cylinders. upper and lower tracks for each of said guards,

1 slidable guard is mounted, and in without opening the guards and in case a plateshould break pieces thereof cannot fly oil the cylider into the pressroom.

15. Means for confining ink mist in. printin presses comprising in combination with the frame, printing cylinders and spaced sets of ink rollers of a press unit, a guard mechanism for each set of ink rollers, said mechanism including at least one longitudinally slidable guard on each side of the rollers, tracks on the press frame in which said slidable guards are mounted, and means for closing the space between said guards and the frame at an end of the unit.

16. Means for confining ink mist in printing presses comprising in combination with the frame, printing cylinders and spaced sets of ink rollers of a press unit, a guard mechanism for each set of ink rollers, said mechanism including guards, at least one on each side of the rollers, the guard on one side thereof being longitudinally slidable and said guards together substantially enclosing the set of rollers fromtop to bottom, tracks on the press frame in which said for closing the space between said guard and the frame at an end of the unit.

17. Means for confiningink mist in printing presses comprising in combination with the frame, printing cylinders and spaced sets of ink rollers of a press unit, a guard mechanism for each set of ink rollers, said mechanism including guards, at least one on each side of the rollers,

the guard on one side thereof being longitudinally slidable and said guards together substantially enclosing the set of rollers from top to bottom, and tracks on the press frame in which said slidable guard is mounted. p

18. Means forconfining ink mist in printing presses comprising in combination with the frame, printing cylinders and spaced sets of ink rollers of a press unit, a guard mechanism for each set of ink rollers, said mechanism including at least one longitudinally slidable guard on each side of the rollers, said guards together substantially'enclosing the set of rollers from top to bottom, and tracks on the press frame inwhich said slidable guard is mounted.

. o'rro n. WOLF. 

